Georgetown Loop Railroad in Georgetown / Silver Plume, Colorado

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Georgetown / Silver Plume, Colorado · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesDepartures change by season; holiday trains run November to early January

The Georgetown Loop Railroad carries passengers on a narrow gauge corkscrew route first completed in 1884, climbing about 640 feet between the silver towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume and crossing the Devil's Gate High Bridge, as part of a historic mining and railroad park owned by History Colorado.

  • Narrow gauge route completed in 1884
  • Devil's Gate High Bridge
  • Climbs about 640 feet
  • Lebanon Silver Mine tour
  • Owned by History Colorado
  • Steam engine No. 111

Georgetown Loop Railroad at a glance

Hours
Departure times vary by season; check the online schedule
Admission
Fares are not posted in a simple list; book online or call (888) 456-6777
Train rides
Round-trip narrow gauge excursions from Georgetown (Devil's Gate) and Silver Plume depots, with an optional Ride and Mine Tour
Seasonal events
Autumnfest, Trick or Treat Train, Santa's Lighted Forest, Santa's Rocky Mountain Adventure, New Years Train, Encore Train
Plan for
About 1 hour 15 minutes for the ride, plus time for the mine tour
Best for
Families, scenic train fans and Denver day-trippers
Best ages
Ages 3 and up

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Georgetown Loop Railroad? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Georgetown / Silver Plume.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A corkscrew railroad between two silver towns

Georgetown and Silver Plume sit only 2 miles apart in the steep canyon of Clear Creek, but the grade between them was too much for a train to take head on. Engineers for the Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway, formed in 1881 under the Union Pacific, laid out a looping route nearly twice as long, with horseshoe curves, grades up to 4 percent and four bridges across the creek. The crowning piece was the Devil's Gate High Bridge, a 95-foot trestle where the line crossed over itself. It opened in 1884 and became one of Colorado's first visitor attractions, hauling silver ore and sightseers alike.

The Colorado and Southern Railway ran the line from 1893 until 1938, and from 1906 to 1918 travelers could change in Silver Plume to the Argentine Central for the summit of Mount McClellan. The track was torn up in 1939. Twenty years later, in 1959, the Colorado Historical Society (now History Colorado) formed the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park, gathering nearly 100 acres along with mining claims and mills.

Rebuilding began in 1973 on the old grade, using track and ties donated by the Union Pacific, and a new high bridge was built to the original specifications. The restored line opened on March 10, 1984. After some hard years under an earlier contractor, History Colorado brought in Historic Rail Adventures in 2009, a company started by a local Georgetown businessman, and steam returned along with steadier service and growing ridership. The crews in the Silver Plume Engine House deserve much of the credit, having brought engine No. 111 back to life between 2013 and 2016.

Trestles, a high bridge and a mine at the halfway point

Round-trip trains leave from both Devil's Gate Depot in Georgetown and the Silver Plume Depot, so you can board at either end. The narrated ride winds through evergreens and along Clear Creek, over historic trestles and across the Devil's Gate High Bridge high above the canyon, with summer wildflowers, fall color or snowy peaks depending on when you come. Trains are pulled by steam or diesel-electric locomotives, and the fleet includes coaches, parlor cars and the plush Waldorf and Tahoe cars.

The Ride and Mine Tour adds a guided stop at the Lebanon Silver Mine, about halfway along the line, where you walk roughly 500 feet into a tunnel bored in the 1870s and learn how miners worked by candlelight with equipment still in place. Afterward, kids can try gold panning and maybe go home with a little shine.

Don’t miss

  1. Devil's Gate High BridgeThe rebuilt high trestle where the loop crosses over its own track, the engineering trick that made the whole route possible.
  2. Steam Locomotive No. 111Built by Baldwin in 1926 for the International Railway of Central America, it sat idle in Colorado for decades until History Colorado acquired it in 2008; the Silver Plume Engine House returned it to service in 2016.
  3. Steam Locomotive No. 40A 1920 Baldwin 2-8-0 that worked in Central America, then Central City, and even spent time on loan to the White Pass & Yukon in Alaska before coming home to the Loop.
  4. Lebanon Silver MineAn 1870s tunnel you can walk into on the guided mine tour, with original workings and old mining equipment.
  5. Gold panningA hands-on stop after the mine tour that suits all ages.

A short ride, a real mine and a pan of gold

The round trip is a manageable length for young kids, about an hour and 15 minutes in the main season and closer to an hour on the holiday trains, and the bridges and steam whistles keep them looking out the window. Older kids usually love walking into the Lebanon Silver Mine and finishing with gold panning, which the railroad pitches as fun for all ages.

Special trains are made for families: the Trick or Treat Train invites costumes and ends with candy and face painting at Devil's Gate Depot, and Santa rides along on the holiday trains. Bring layers, since the coaches are heated in winter but the canyon is cool at almost any time of year.

Plan your visit: tips for Georgetown Loop Railroad

  • Book ahead: the railroad says trains often sell out in peak seasons.
  • You can start your round trip from either Georgetown or Silver Plume.
  • Groups of 20 or more can call (888) 456-6777 for group reservations.
  • Parlor and Presidential Class upgrades are offered on some holiday trains.
  • The railroad does not offer private party or catering packages.

From November 6 to December 24, Santa's Lighted Forest takes evening riders through more than 300,000 lights on the station, the hillsides and the forest along the track, with Santa on every departure before Christmas and a round trip of about 60 minutes. Santa's Rocky Mountain Adventure runs on the same dates in daylight, followed by the New Years Train and the Encore Train into early January. In late October, the Trick or Treat Train welcomes kids in costume. See more options in our guides to Christmas train rides in Colorado and Halloween trains in Colorado.

History Colorado and the Silver Plume shop crew

History Colorado owns the Georgetown Loop as an official historic site and treats it as a living museum, while Historic Rail Adventures runs the trains day to day. The best way to support it is to ride, book the mine tour and bring friends; History Colorado's other museums and historic sites are another way to keep that work going.

Other mountain rail stops near Georgetown

Over the pass, the Breckenridge High Line Railroad Park is about 23 miles away, and engine No. 111 once sat on display there. Head down the canyon about 28 miles to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, or about 44 miles to ride the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad. More ideas are on our page of Colorado train museums.

Every train museum in Colorado

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

This line twists so much that riders see the same canyon from a new angle every few minutes. In our book, Rally presses his nose to an arched window, watching the ocean, and says hello to a white bird. Here it would be a creek and a high bridge instead of the sea. My mom always loved a good window seat, which is why she gave Rally one. There's a window page to color on our coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Georgetown Loop Railroad?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Georgetown Loop Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

Where is the Georgetown Loop Railroad?

The Georgetown Loop Railroad runs between Georgetown and Silver Plume in Clear Creek County, just off I-70 and about 45 miles west of Denver. The railroad's listed street address is 646 Loop Drive, Georgetown, CO 80444. You can board at Devil's Gate Depot near Georgetown or at the Silver Plume Depot beside the eastbound I-70 on-ramp.

How long is the Georgetown Loop train ride?

Travel guides list the main-season round trip at about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and about 55 minutes from mid-October through early January. The railroad says the evening Santa's Lighted Forest ride lasts about 60 minutes. If you add the Lebanon Silver Mine tour, plan extra time for the guided walk and gold panning.

How long is the Georgetown Loop Railroad track?

Georgetown and Silver Plume are only 2 miles apart, but the route between them loops for roughly twice that distance so trains can climb the canyon. The restored segment that opened in 1984 uses about 3 miles of track, and the full route is often described as about 4.5 miles.

What is the elevation gain on the Georgetown Loop Railroad?

The train climbs about 640 feet between Georgetown and Silver Plume. To gain that height in such a narrow canyon, the original engineers used horseshoe curves, grades of up to 4 percent, four bridges across Clear Creek and the Devil's Gate High Bridge, where the line crosses over itself.

How much are Georgetown Loop Railroad tickets?

The railroad does not post one simple fare list, because prices change with the season, the ride type and seating class. Check current prices when you book online at GeorgetownLoopRR.com or by calling (888) 456-6777. Ride and Mine Tour combinations and holiday trains are priced separately from the standard round trip.

Are there Georgetown Loop Railroad discount codes or coupons?

The railroad does not advertise discount codes or coupons on its website. Groups of 20 or more can call (888) 456-6777 to ask about group rates. Buy tickets directly through GeorgetownLoopRR.com or by phone so your seats and departure time are confirmed, especially in busy seasons when trains sell out.

Can you buy resale or Groupon tickets for the Georgetown Loop?

The railroad asks riders to buy tickets online at GeorgetownLoopRR.com or by phone at (888) 456-6777, and it does not mention resale or third-party deals. Buying directly is the safest way to make sure your reservation is valid for the date and depot you want, and to get help if plans change.

What is the Georgetown Loop Railroad schedule?

Departure times change by season and by event, so the railroad publishes its schedule through online booking. Round trips leave from both the Georgetown and Silver Plume depots. As of October 2026, Autumnfest runs October 16 to 18 and 23 to 25, followed by the Trick or Treat Train on October 30 and 31.

Does the Georgetown Loop Railroad have a Christmas train?

Yes. As of October 2026, Santa's Lighted Forest and Santa's Rocky Mountain Adventure both run November 6 through December 24, with Santa visiting riders. The evening Lighted Forest ride passes more than 300,000 lights. The New Years Train runs December 26 to January 1, and the Encore Train January 2 and 3.

When do Georgetown Loop Christmas train tickets go on sale?

Holiday train tickets for the 2026 season are already on sale through the railroad's website. Because the holiday departures are popular and the railroad warns that trains often sell out in peak seasons, book as early as you can, particularly for weekend evenings on the Lighted Forest train.

What is Santa's Lighted Forest at the Georgetown Loop?

Santa's Lighted Forest is an evening holiday ride through more than 300,000 lights on the station, the surrounding landscape and the forest beside the tracks. Santa joins every departure before Christmas, and the round trip lasts about 60 minutes. The lights stay up for the Encore Train's evening rides in early January.

Does the Georgetown Loop Railroad have a Halloween train?

Yes. The Trick or Treat Train runs October 30 and 31 in 2026. Costumes are encouraged, each ticketed child gets candy at the end of the ride and face painting at Devil's Gate Depot, and every reservation receives a 2026 Halloween Faro Chip keepsake.

What is the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Mining Park?

The Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park was formed in 1959 by the Colorado Historical Society, now History Colorado, with nearly 100 acres of land, mining claims and mills. Today it includes the narrow gauge railroad, the Lebanon Silver Mine tour and gold panning, and History Colorado runs it as an official historic site.

What is the Lebanon Silver Mine tour?

The Lebanon Silver Mine sits about halfway along the railroad. On the Ride and Mine Tour, guides take you roughly 500 feet into a tunnel bored in the 1870s, pointing out old silver veins and explaining how miners worked by candlelight. Book it as a combined ticket with your train ride.

What is Georgetown Loop Railroad engine 111?

Steam Locomotive No. 111 was built by Baldwin in 1926 for the International Railway of Central America, mostly in El Salvador. It came to Colorado in 1973 but never ran there, and in 2002 went on display in Breckenridge. History Colorado acquired it in 2008, the Silver Plume Engine House began restoring it in 2013, and it returned to service in 2016.

When was the Georgetown Loop Railroad built?

The original Loop was completed in 1884 by the Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway to serve the silver mines of Clear Creek Canyon. The Colorado and Southern ran it until 1938, and it was dismantled in 1939. Rebuilding began in 1973, and the restored line opened on March 10, 1984.

Is the Georgetown Loop Railroad good for kids?

Yes. The ride is about an hour, the bridges and canyon views keep kids interested, and gold panning after the mine tour is aimed at all ages. Family events like the Trick or Treat Train and the Santa trains add candy, face painting and a visit with Santa. Dress in layers, as mountain weather changes quickly.

What do reviews say about the Georgetown Loop Railroad?

USA Today readers voted the Georgetown Loop one of the top 10 scenic train rides in North America. Riders quoted on the railroad's site often mention the mountain views, the fall colors, friendly staff and conductors, and the holiday light train. Check Tripadvisor and Google for a wider range of recent reviews.

Can large groups book the Georgetown Loop Railroad?

Yes. The railroad helps organized groups of 20 or more, including schools, clubs, tour operators and corporate outings, with reservations for train rides and optional mine tours. Call (888) 456-6777 to discuss rates and availability. It does not offer event planning, catering or private party packages.

What train museums are near the Georgetown Loop Railroad?

The Breckenridge High Line Railroad Park is about 23 miles away, the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden about 28 miles, the Moffat Road Railroad Museum in Granby about 29 miles, and the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad about 44 miles. Denver's Forney Museum of Transportation is about 39 miles east.

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